AMERICAN RECOVERY and REINVESTMENT ACT of 2009
As a result of the stimulus bill, homeowners can claim a tax credit of up to $1,500 for upgrading their primary residence with energy efficient appliances and building components, such as exterior windows, doors and skylights. This way, homeowners can reduce their income tax by up to thirty percent of the purchase price (not including installation costs) to qualified products installed in 2009 and 2010.
The tax credit helps you save money on the purchase of windows, doors or skylights, but the real money savings are what you’ll save in the long term with reduced energy bills. Upgrading to energy-efficient windows and doors can save home-owners hundreds of dollars in heating and cooling costs each year.* And, of course, more efficient windows and doors also substantially enhance comfort, reduce condensation, and help to protect the environment and conserve limited resources.
What are the qualifying criteria? U-factor ≤ 0.30 and SHGC ≤ 0.30
In order to qualify, windows, doors, and skylights must be accompanied with a signed statement from the manufacturer that certifies that the product complies with the tax credit criteria. Qualified windows, doors, and skylights need to have NFRC-certified U-factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) ratings that do not exceed 0.30.
Exception: According to the IRS , All ENERGY STAR windows purchased before June 1, 2009 qualify for the tax credit even without a manufacturer’s certification statement.
These criteria apply throughout the United States. A low U-factor indicates good insulating value, which is particularly important in cold climates, whereas a low SHGC indicates less solar heat gain, which is particularly important in climates with high cooling demand. U-factor and SHGC ratings can be found on the NFRC label (shown at right).
Homeowners should keep the manufacturers certification statement with their records but are not required to submit it with their tax return.
Provided is a chart describing the window qualifications;
SUMMARY OF TAX CREDITS FOR HOMEOWNERS
ENERGY TRUST of OREGON and ENERGY STAR
A NEW IMAGE EXTERIORS are a trade ally with Energy Trust of Oregon; we are trained to assist you with the different types of rebates that are available. We will visit your home and perform a comprehensive evaluation regarding your windows, doors, and insulation efficiencies. The tax rebates and incentives vary in dollar amounts depending what your project involves. Energy Trust of Oregon is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to helping Oregonians benefit from saving energy and tapping renewable resources. Their services, cash incentives and solutions have helped customers of Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, NW Natural and Cascade Natural Gas save more than $440 million in energy costs. Their work keeps energy costs as low as possible and builds a sustainable energy future for Oregon. Most every home can be made more energy efficient—it’s all about knowing where to begin and determining what fits within your budget. Energy Trust offers three easy ways to evaluate and improve your home’s energy performance, and provides cash incentives to help complete your improvement projects.
Have a trained Energy Trust Energy advisor visit your home for a one-hour walkthrough. You’ll receive:
- A prioritized list of recommendations based on visual observations, Energy Trust cash incentives and available tax credits
- Energy-saving products
This free, easy tool takes less than 10 minutes to complete. You’ll receive:
- Energy-saving tips
- A calculation of your home’s carbon footprint
Start now by selecting one of the following options:
Billing Insights » Use my actual utility usage information (recommended)
Home Energy Analyzer » Calculate my home’s energy use based on estimates.
Weatherization; Simple fixes for comfort and efficiency.
Is your home drafty in winter? Do your heating and cooling systems seem to run constantly? It’s probably a good time to weatherize.
From insulation to new windows, weatherization helps prevent unwanted air escape or intrusion, controls moisture and keeps pollutants out. And it’s one of the easiest ways to increase comfort, conserve energy and save money.
Energy Trust offers cash for weatherizing your home, as well as assistance finding qualified contractors and financing your improvements. Choose a weatherization solution to learn more:
A NEW IMAGE EXTERIORS is a qualified and trained installer of Windows, Doors and Insulation. Call our office at 503-477-9575 for a free consultation today.